Pan American Games

Pan American Games
Games
1951 1955 1959 1963 1967 1971 1975 1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 2019 2023 2027

Olympic Games
Main topics
Bids Boycotts Ceremonies Charter Doping Host cities IFs IOC Medal Medal tables Medalists NOCs Olympism Pierre de Coubertin Medal Scandals and controversies Sports Symbols Television Torch relays Venues Women participation
Games
Summer Winter Youth Esports
Regional games
African Asian European Mediterranean Pacific Pan-American
Defunct games
Ancient Intercalated
v t e

The Pan American Games, known as the Pan Am Games, is a continental multi-sport event in the Americas. It features thousands of athletes participate in a competitions to win different summer sports. It is held among athletes from nations of the Americas, every 4 years, the year before Summer Olympics. It is the second oldest continental games in the world. The only Winter Pan American Games were held in 1990. In 2021, the Junior Pan American Games was held for the first time specifically for young athletes.^[1][2][3][4] The Pan American Sports Organization is the governing body of the Pan American Games movement, whose structure and actions are defined by the Olympic Charter.^[5]

The most recent event was the XIX Pan American Games, held in Santiago from 20 October to 5 November 2023.^[6] The XX Pan American Games will be held in 2027. Since the XV Pan American Games in 2007, host cities are contracted to manage both the Pan American and Parapan American Games,^[5] in which athletes with physical disabilities compete with one another. The Parapan American Games are held immediately following the Pan American Games.

The Pan American Games Movement consists of international sports federations, National Olympic Committees recognized by PASO, and organizing committees for each specific Pan American Games. As the decision-making body, PASO is responsible for choosing the host city for each Pan American Games. The host city is responsible for organizing and funding a celebration of the Games consistent with the Olympic Charter and rules. The Pan-Am Games program, consisting of the sports to be contested at the Games, is determined by PASO. The celebration of the Games encompasses many rituals and symbols, such as the flag and torch, and the opening and closing ceremonies. Over 5,000 athletes compete at the Pan American Games in 36 sports and nearly 400 events. The first, second, and third-place finishers in each event receive gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively.^[7]